Interpretive Summary: Mites are pests that feed on many of the world’s agriculturally important crops, trees, and ornamental plants and cause millions of dollars of damage annually. Identification of these mite pests are paramount in both quarantine or biological programs. This training video provides visual instruction on how to prepare mite specimens on microscope slides for examination and identification. This video will be of special interest to quarantine personnel at both the federal and state levels, academic teaching institutions, and insect taxonomists.

Technical Abstract:
Proper identification of mites (Arachnida: Acari) require preparation of the specimen on a microscope slide. This training video provides visual instruction on how to prepare mite specimens on microscope slides for examination and identification. Steps ranging from collection, specimen clearing, use of mounting medium, coverslip placement, and final drying. This distance learning video is in support of the Enhanced Pest Identification and Technology effort (Farm Bill—H.R. 6124) and will be of special interest to quarantine personnel at both the federal and state levels, academic teaching institutions, and insect taxonomists.